Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/144

110 an elevation of over 2000 ft. above the sea-level, snow being frequently met with on the journey. There were some trees down with a number of slips, but none of a bad or dangerous nature. With the exception of these small and temporary obstacles, the chief parts of the road are in fine order. There are two government huts in good repair in the ranges, but are not observable from the road by passers-by. A couple of finger-posts have recently been placed alongside the road, as a guide to where they are to be found. In times of bad weather such shelter would be appreciated as against the chances of being benighted on this wild and lonely portion of the road. The distance from the Paringa to Blue River is ten miles; a wire bridge of 170 ft. span has been placed over this dangerous river. Two miles of the Paringa side of the river, on the main road, a surveyed line of eight miles has also been laid off by the chief Surveyor, and terminating on the beach line between the Abbey Rocks and the Blue River. This track when made is to open up land for sale, and will be a great boon to the district in the way of travelling and prospecting. Good samples of gold have been got in the district at Bullock Creek and Little River. The country is rough and difficult of access. There are over 2300 acres of freehold land held among the settlers on the Paringa. The Maori River run, of 15,000 acres, is held by W. Duncan. A run of 1000 acres is held by R. Dee; the Blue River Valley run, of 10,000 acres, by E. Ryan. The Paringa Lake and Abbey Rocks run, of 20,000 acres, is leased by W. Stephenson; and the Paringa and Blackwater Valley runs, of 15,000 acres, are held by Power Brothers. There are a few settlers up the Mahitahi River, holding over 200 acres of freehold land. The Valley run, of 20,000 acres, is held by J. Condon. Several parties of miners are working on Bruce Bay beach. Mulvaney, Olsen, and party, after 15 months’ hard labour in bringing in a head-race a considerable distance, have got an unfailing supply of water, and a good mining property in their possession. Small parties of miners are also to be met with at Hunt’s and intervening beaches, to Gillespie’s. The Jacob’s River run, of 15,000 acres, is held by H. Borneman; Hunt’s River run, of 10,000 acres, is held by Ritchie; Karangarua River run, of 20,000 acres, is held by D. Macdonald; and Cook’s River run, of 20,000 acres, is held by E. Ryan and Little. There is here a homestead block of 5000 acres, on which are living three settlers, holding 180 acres. There are some miners working up the Cook’s River, and some good patches of gold are got now and again. There is a track for packing running up the side of Cook’s River for three or four miles. From Gillespie’s to Okarito, a few parties are working along the beaches. The Valley run is held by N. Gibbs, a miner and settler in the place. The Omeomaa Valley run, of 10,000 acres, is held by J. Gault. Waiho and Totara runs, 13,000 acres, are held by M‘Fetrich & Co. A few scattered parties are working about the Okarito Forks. The bulk of the miners about this place and at Mapourika are engaged in terrace working. There are 14 settlers in the Waitangi or Wateroa settlement, occupying between 800 and 900 acres of freehold land. The Wateroa run, of 20,000 acres, is held by Burroghs, Butler, & Co. There is another run in the district, held by W. Smith, of 10,000 acres. There is a tract of country of 25,000 acres in this locality, a large portion being good agricultural land, and a similar block of